5 Leadership Lessons from HBO’s Band of Brothers

Leadership lessons are everywhere. I have been slowly working through HBO’s Band of Brothers series. (My Son Matt gave me the series for Father’s Day).   I really cannot comprehend what it is like to experience standing before an enemy who is doing everything within their power to take your life. It is under those circumstances that the evidence of or lack of leadership becomes apparent.

 “There was a time when the world asked ordinary men to do extraordinary things.” – Band of Brothers

The series is a dramatic creation that follows the lives of the men who served in the 101st Airborne during WWII. These were the men who parachuted behind the enemy lines to clear the way for the allied advance in Europe. Their task was never an easy one.

One could probably write a book on the leadership examples from Band of Brothers but here are my top five Leadership Principles:

1.    Leaders need to have a relationship with those they lead.

•  Know their strengths and weaknesses.
• Learn how they perform under fire.
• Let them know that you care more about them than the job they do.

2.    You are still responsible to lead when those you follow lead poorly. (tweet this)

• Those who follow you depend on you.
• If the leader you follow is performing poorly, you still have the responsibility to step up and fill the void.
• Your team depends on it.

3.    When under fire, lead the way forward.

• Hesitating, stopping or looking back can destroy your momentum.
• It may be painful but keep moving forward.  (tweet this)
• Failure to do so can be deadly.

4.    Do not allow your team to become a clique.

• As time goes by team members will leave and new ones will need to be brought in.
• Create a culture that welcomes new people.
• Set up a process and team building activities to help them fit in.

5.     Leaders have to make choices they do not like.

• Sometimes these choices have a negative effect on the leader; however, it is the right choice. Note: I am not indicating that a leader should ever do anything that compromises his or her values or principles.

Now it is your turn. I would love to hear from you.  If you have watched Band of Brothers, what would you add to the list? If you have not seen it, what other movie or TV series provides a great example of leadership.  What would be your list?

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About the Author: Jon Stallings

I am enthusiastic about helping others discover their purpose and grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is great to see their eyes light up at their “Ah Ha!” moment when they discover they were created for something more. My hope is that this blog will help encourage and inspire you along your way. Join the conversation and take the time to share with me your own story. I have been married to my beautiful wife Janice for over 30 years. We currently live in McDonough Georgia with our daughter. Our two boys have left the nest and we have two wonderful grand kids. Of course we cannot forget about our dog Bear.